Editorial: Complex election, simple choice — Pitsch for state Senate

Sunday

May 13, 2018 at 12:01 AM

A complex situation has developed in the Arkansas Senate District 8 election, and we are eager for its resolution after the general election in November. Our editorial staff is also recommending a vote for Rep. Mat Pitsch as our next state senator.

We imagine that for many voters, the elections for District 8 have caused some confusion, which began soon after Sen. Jake Files resigned from the position in February. (Files resigned effective Feb. 8 after he pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering in association with state General Improvement Fund grant misuse.)

A special primary election is May 22, and that winner will move on to the special election in August. The winner of the preferential primary election will move on to the general election in November. State senators serve four-year terms.

The winner of the special election in August would simply finish out the remainder of the year, while the winner of the November general election would take office in January. Arkansas law requires a special election be set for an unexpected vacancy to ensure representation, according to a spokesman from the governor’s office.

So on May 22, there are two elections — one the regular Republican primary for the position, the other a special Republican primary for candidates wanting to fill the remainder of Files’ unexpired term. The winner of the regular primary will face Libertarian Whitfield Hyman on Nov. 6, while the winner of the special primary will face Hyman on Aug. 14. If required, a special primary runoff will be June 19.

It’s enough to make our head spin, but despite the complicated situation surrounding the races, we hope voters are educated and informed when headed to the polls. Who represents our area in the Arkansas Senate is important, and there are many viable candidates for the position. Denny Altes is a veteran who has served in both the Arkansas House and Senate, while Frank Glidewell is a veteran with experience as a representative in the Arkansas House and as a justice of the peace.

In the interim, we believe Frank Glidewell is a solid selection to fill the role, since Rep. Pitsch cannot assume the duties in his current position. But for the long term, we need Rep. Pitsch to continue his work for Fort Smith in the State Senate.

We believe Rep. Pitsch has proven himself to be a strong voice for our region in the Arkansas General Assembly. He was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2015 to represent District 76 and in 2017 was named Majority Leader of the Arkansas House. He has both a business and education background, a combination of experience that lends itself to serving our community well. In 2009, he became executive director of the Regional Intermodal Transportation Authority of Western Arkansas (now Western Arkansas Intermodal Authority), which includes Fort Smith and Van Buren; recently, the Van Buren intermodal project was listed on Union Pacific’s notable “hot sites” in the country.

Rep. Pitsch has served on the House Transportation Committee and the Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee. During the 91st General Assembly, Pitsch was also the sponsor of the Tax Reform and Relief Act of 2017. He has been named as vice chairman of the Game & Fish/State Police Committee, vice chairman for the Lottery Oversight Subcommittee and vice chairman for Agriculture-House Small Business & Economic Development Subcommittee. Pitsch also sits on the Task Force on Tax Reform and was placed on the Review Subcommittee, tasked with reviewing all state contracts.

Rep. Pitsch said in making his filing announcement that his focus will continue to be on representing Fort Smith and the region, promoting economic development, expanding and maintaining transportation infrastructure and stimulating pro-growth economic policies for the state. He’s also served as a member of the Fort Smith community by participating as part of the advisory team that helped develop Vision 2023, Fort Smith Public Schools’ five-year strategic plan.

In short, we believe Rep. Pitsch will continue representing our area well if elected to the state Senate, not only through his experience as a lawmaker, but through his experience as a businessman, educator and community member.

“I’m proud of the work we’ve been able to accomplish in the House of Representatives and helping the governor strengthen the state during my time in the House,” Rep. Pitsch said when announcing his candidacy. “We’ve been able to speak for Fort Smith and have worked to make it and our regional partners relevant in Arkansas. I’m excited to move to the Senate and continue representing our community.”

The Times Record endorses Rep. Pitsch in his bid for state Senate District 8. It’s important that voters not allow the election confusion to muddy the waters on this decision. We believe his experience will lead our region to where it needs to be. After the embarrassment that our former state senator brought to the position, we hope our new state senator will bring integrity back to the position. We believe Rep. Pitsch will do just that.

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